A year ago, Malcolm Butler was three months removed from one of the greatest game-saving plays in Super Bowl history. Prior to The Interception, few people outside of the Patriots locker room actually knew who Butler was, but that changed the instant he picked off Russell Wilson at the goal line, and preserved the Patriots' fourth Super Bowl title.

Now, after a solid sophomore season that included 16 starts, 15 passes defended and two interceptions, the former undrafted free agent from West Alabama is reportedly looking for a new deal. ESPN.com's Mike Reiss writes that although the reason for Butler's recent absence from voluntary workouts is unknown, it could have everything to do with his current contract.

Reiss writes: "Butler has told teammates and friends he plans to push for an adjustment to his contract before the 2016 season, and staying off the field in voluntary workouts would be a decision that limits injury risk and also could be viewed as a statement to the organization that he's unhappy with the status quo and/or the movement/specifics of contract talks."

Malcolm Butler made one of the greatest plays in Patriots history. USATSI

In addition to Butler, linebackers Jamie Collins and Dont'a Hightower have deals that expire after the 2016 season. All three have earned substantial raises, though that doesn't mean the Patriots will be the team to pay them. Earlier this offseason, the team traded pass rusher Chandler Jones to the Cardinals for offensive lineman Jonathan Cooper and a second-round pick.

But unlike Collins and Hightower, Butler becomes a restricted free agent after the season, which means that the Patriots can lock him up on the cheap for 2017. It also means Butler has little in the way of leverage -- beyond holding out. But unless you're a franchise quarterback, that's a dangerous game -- made even more dangerous when going up against Bill Belichick, a man who has proven time and again that he's not afraid to move on from players, no matter how valuable they may have been, or appear to be.